New York on Thursday became the latest state to ban the sale of cats, dogs and rabbits in pet stores in an effort to target commercial breeding practices that critics have criticized as “manufacturing puppy”. The new law, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul and effective in 2024, allows pet stores to operate instead of shelters to provide rescued or abandoned animals for adoption. (Also read: Tips to dress your pet stylish and warm for winter)
“This is a huge problem. Senator Michael Gianaris, a Democrat, said New York tends to be a big buyer and profiteer of these factories, and we’re trying to cut demand at the retail level.
He added that the puppy industry treats animals “like commodities” and said “there is no pet store that hasn’t been affected.”
Pet stores have argued the law will do nothing to shut down out-of-state breeders or raise their standards of care and say it will result in the closing of dozens of pet stores. back in New York.
California enacted a similar law in 2017, becoming the first state to ban such sales. While that law requires pet stores to work with animal shelters or rescue operations, like New York is doing now, it does not regulate the sales of pet stores. private breeding.
Several states followed suit. In 2020, Maryland banned the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores, prompting opposition from store owners and breeders, who opposed the measure in court. A year later, Illinois banned pet stores from selling commercially adopted puppies and kittens.
In New York, pet advocacy groups have long called for the complete closure of establishments that raise and sell animals for profit, arguing that animals are raised in inhumane conditions before they are transported to New York City. stores.
Emilio Ortiz, manager of pet store Citipups in New York City, said the new law could be seen as a death sentence for the business he worked for more than a decade.
“Ninety percent of our business is selling dogs. Ortiz said we won’t be able to survive this,” said Ortiz, who sees the ban as unfair to stores that work with responsible breeders. “They’re playing good actors alongside bad actors.”
Jessica Selmer, president of People United to Protect Pet Integrity, a coalition of pet store owners in New York, called the law “careless” and “counterproductive” and said she hoped the governor would “considering legislative measures for some of the bill’s pitfalls.”
The new law will not affect home owners who sell animals born and raised on their property.
Lisa Haney, who owns a dog at the Buffalo home with her husband, said she supports the law.
“There’s a pet store near me, they get dogs from all over the Midwest and other large establishments, and you don’t know where they come from or who the breeders are. People are really clueless and take the puppy,” Haney said.
Her business, Cavapoo Kennels, is partly focused on breeding hypoallergenic dogs for people with allergies, and her business model is based on need. The waiting list lasts from six to 12 months, ensuring each dog will be in a home.
Gianaris said the law will allow buyers to be more conscious of their pet’s origins.
“If a consumer goes to a factory and sees bad conditions, they won’t buy these animals,” he said. a way to wash away the horrible activities that take place at the factory.”
